Governor declares 2018 harvest emergency: Farmers, crop haulers won't have to wait to more successfully compete with neighboring states

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Bruce Rauner has declared a harvest emergency to help level the playing field between Illinois farmers and crop haulers and those in neighboring states.

The action bridges the gap between the 2018 harvest season and a new law the governor signed Aug. 25 that takes effect next year. Going forward, that measure will allow for an annual harvest-season easing of gross vehicle and gross axle weight limits for agricultural commodities haulers with a free permit.

"We have heard from Illinois' trucking industry and from farmers who are operating on thin profit margins in today's agricultural climate," Rauner said before making his announcement at the Ladage Farm in Auburn. "Today's harvest emergency declaration recognizes that the weight-restriction structure in place in Illinois put our farmers and truckers at a disadvantage.

"They cannot and should not be forced to wait until the 2019 harvest season to reap the economic benefits of eased weight limits," he said. "Now they won't have to as they take their crops to market, processing or storage."

The emergency declaration is in effect from Monday, Sept. 10, to Dec. 31, 2018, and enables crop haulers to seek free Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) permits to exceed legal maximum gross vehicle and gross axle weight limits or the vehicle's registered gross weight, whichever is less, by no more than 10 percent on state and federal highways under IDOT's jurisdiction, except interstates. (Federal requirements prohibit inclusion of interstates.)

"We appreciate Gov. Rauner declaring an emergency situation for the 2018 harvest season, especially in light of the declining incomes and market turmoil which farmers are currently facing," said Richard Guebert Jr., president, Illinois Farm Bureau. "This declaration opens the door for increased efficiencies for farmers and truck drivers hauling agricultural commodities and will help offset any uncontrollable effects of weather and commodity markets, allowing farmers the freedom to move what is projected to be a record-breaking crop."

Permits will once again be issued at no charge, but applicants must obtain a route authorization number every two weeks. The harvest emergency permit and other information on the permitting process can be obtained through IDOT's automated permitting web application at https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/ITAP.

Rauner said the declaration will speed the movement of crops to market, adding that the importance of an economically healthy agriculture community in Illinois cannot be overstated. Illinois is home to 71,000 farms on 26.6 million acres. Marketing of Illinois' agricultural commodities generates more than $19 billion annually, and the state's food and fiber industries employ nearly 1 million people. The state ranks third nationally in the export of agricultural commodities, with $8.2 billion worth of goods shipped to other countries, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

"Our farmers feed the world, working tirelessly every harvest season to get their crops from the field to market as quickly as possible," said Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Director Raymond Poe. "We need to give Illinois farm families every advantage we can to ensure they stay competitive with farmers in neighboring states. We thank Gov. Rauner for recognizing the need for a quick change to help our farmers this harvest season without waiting until the new law takes effect next year."

Local legislators also welcomed the declaration.

"I applaud this decision to allow trucks hauling agricultural commodities to obtain a free permit to exceed the gross vehicle weight limit by 10 percent and help farmers harvest their crops more efficiently," said Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, a member of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

"Moving corn and other crops in a timely and efficient manner affects the bottom line of hardworking farmers," said Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro. "This declaration is an appropriate response to an urgent need and I applaud the governor for taking this action."

Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, said he's glad to see that the state is taking the steps necessary to assist the agricultural industry at a critical time of the year.

"With livelihoods at stake, we need to responsibly remove barriers for our harvesters and ensure that their crop is brought to market," he said. I am appreciative of the effort on both sides of the aisle to make this emergency order a reality."

Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, said he's encouraged to see Gov. Rauner be proactive about an issue that has unfairly restricted farmers and hindered the state's ability to compete with its neighbors.

"This decision to declare a harvest emergency will serve as a bridge until House Bill 5749 takes effect next year, providing relief to those in the agriculture industry and providing some long-term assistance to Illinois' farmers," he said.

Sen, Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, said he supports the harvest emergency declaration because farmers need every opportunity they can get to get their crops out of their fields as quickly and efficiently as possible.